Stephen Richard Avery Sr.

Stephen Richard Avery went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 9, 2011. He was born on July 20, 1926, to Samuel and Evelyn Avery, in Orlando, FL. and moved to Corpus Christi in 1934. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized at age thirteen. As a young teenager, he helped his mother run her restaurant in Flour Bluff and was a longtime Flour Bluff Resident. He was a proud Boy Scout and a member of the First Christian Church of Corpus Christi. Steve graduated from Corpus Christi High School in 1944. He enlisted in the Navy and proudly serve his country during WWII aboard the USS Gandy. After his tour of duty, he attended Corpus Christi Junior College and Texas Christian University earning a Bachelor's Degree in 1950. While at TCU, he felt called by God to the ministry and served at several area churches. After graduation, e went to work for the Corpus Christi Army Depot at the Naval Air Station, retiring after thirty years. During his years at the Army Depot, Steve also served as the pastor of the First Christian Church of Ingleside for over seventeen years.

Steve stayed active in the church he loved, Trinity Worship Center. He and Margie enjoyed traveling and spending time at their pace in the Hill Country. They also enjoyed traveling all over the country to WWII ship reunions. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who loved helping people. He was a master storyteller and we will miss hearing about his life's adventures.

Steve is survived by his beloved wife if fifty-three years, Margie, his children, Larry Avery and wife Linda, Randy Avery, Greg Avery and wife Alma, Stephanie Bustamante, Robbin Simms and husband Rick, and Stephen Avery, jr. and wife Julie, Brother Richard and wife Joan Avery, 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 12, 2011, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Cage-Mills Funeral Home, 4901 Everhart Rd, Corpus Christi, Texas. A celebration of Steve's life will be held at Cage-Mills Funeral Home, Thursday, January 13, 2011, at 10:00 a.m.

Graveside services will be held at Rose Hill Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Greg Avery, Steve Avery, Shawn Avery, Juan Bustamante III, Jake Avery, and Donavon Avery.

IN Lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Children's Ministry of Trinity Worship Center, 7010 Holly Rd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78412.